Chichester Bin Help Without Guesswork
Use this guide to check your Chichester bin day, put black, burgundy, food and green bins in the right place, report missed collections correctly, and avoid rejected recycling or garden waste.
The key rule is simple: most wheeled bins must be placed out by 6am. The collection point is different for garden waste, so do not treat every bin the same.
Quick answer: Chichester District Council operates weekly food waste collection, alternate-week general waste and recycling collection, and a paid fortnightly garden recycling service. Use the postcode checker because food, recycling, general and garden waste dates can differ by address.
Missed bin rule: report a missed food, garden, general waste or recycling collection within 24 hours of the scheduled collection. Chichester will not return if the bin was not at the correct point by 6am, contained unacceptable items, or the report is late.
Choose your Chichester waste problem
Tap the situation. This gives the right next step before opening a form.
Collection day and app reminders
Chichester’s bin checker is important because food waste, recycling, general waste and garden recycling may not all appear in the same way.
| Task | Chichester detail | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| Check collection dates | Use postcode search to find food, recycling, general and garden waste collection days. | Enter postcode, select exact address, then save the date and bin type. |
| Garden dates missing | Garden recycling dates do not appear unless a valid subscription is in place. | Check subscription and green-bin delivery status before assuming no collection. |
| Use reminders | The Chichester District Council mobile app can show bin days, reminders and recycling information. | Turn on notifications if you forget alternate-week collections. |
| Food waste day | Food waste may be collected by a different crew and may differ from other bins. | Check food waste date separately, especially after rollout changes. |
| Garden subscription start | Garden dates appear 24 hours after your green bin has been delivered. | Do not report a missed green bin before the service date appears. |
6am and collection-point rules
The missed-bin form is strict. A bin in the wrong place, or out after 6am, may not qualify for return collection.
| Bin type | Collection point | Put-out rule |
|---|---|---|
| Black general waste | Just inside your property boundary at the nearest point to the public highway or road. | Wheeled bins out by 6am. |
| Burgundy recycling | Just inside your property boundary at the nearest point to the public highway or road. | Wheeled bins out by 6am. |
| Grey/orange food waste | Just inside your property boundary at the nearest point to the public highway or road. | Put out for weekly collection by 6am. |
| Green garden recycling | Outside your property boundary or shared driveway, clearly visible. | Put out by 6am on the garden recycling date. |
| Bulky household items | Outside the building but within the property boundary or communal area. | Available by 6am on the booked collection day. |
Black, burgundy, food and green bins
This is the main sorting table. Use it before reporting a missed bin because unacceptable items can stop a return collection.
| Container | Yes | No / common mistake | Important Chichester rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bin General waste |
General household waste that cannot be recycled. | Food waste, gas bottles, vehicle parts, bricks, rubble, plasterboard, garden waste, soil, large branches, commercial waste, batteries, vapes, bulbs, paint, needles and electricals. | Waste must be inside the bin with lid closed. Other bags around the bin are not collected. |
| Burgundy bin Recycling |
Paper, cardboard, plastic bottles/containers, toothpaste tubes, foil, glass bottles/jars, cans, aerosols and cartons. | Shredded paper, tissues, paper towels, pouches, crisp packets, Pyrex, drinking glasses, cables, batteries, plastic bags, cling film, polystyrene and electrical items. | Recycling must be clean, loose and dry. |
| Food waste bin Grey/orange container |
Weekly food waste service for food scraps in the supplied container. | Packaging, general waste, garden waste or wrong items. Tagged bins must be corrected before next collection. | Food waste is collected by a different crew and may be collected at a different time/day. |
| Green bin Garden recycling |
Grass cuttings, weeds, leaves, hedge cuttings, tree/shrub cuttings, plants and flowers. | Large branches bigger than wrist/100mm, Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, soil, compost, moss, rubble, food, animal waste, bags, pots and ash. | Paid service. Waste must be loose; no plastic or biodegradable bags. |
Missed bin decision tree
Chichester accepts missed-bin reports up to 24 hours after the scheduled collection. Use this checklist first.
Burgundy recycling and extra recycling
Chichester’s recycling rule is short: clean, loose and dry. Extra recycling has a specific presentation rule.
Clean
Keep food leftovers out of recycling. Rinse containers where needed.
Loose
No plastic bags inside the burgundy bin. Put accepted items in loose.
Dry
Keep the recycling bin lid shut. Wet excess recycling will not be collected.
| Extra recycling issue | Chichester rule | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| More recycling than fits in burgundy bin | Leave extra recycling loosely tied in a black sack next to the recycling bin on scheduled collection day. | Keep it clearly next to the recycling bin, not between black and burgundy bins. |
| Wet excess recycling | Chichester says it cannot take wet excess recycling. | Keep the sack dry or use a recycling centre. |
| Plastic bags/cling film | Not accepted in burgundy recycling. | Use the correct soft-plastic route or general waste if no local route is available. |
| Plant pots / seed trays | Not accepted on the older recycling page; check current council sorting before disposal. | If unsure, use the official sorting page or recycling centre advice. |
Black bin and council excess sacks
If your black bin is full, do not leave normal bags beside it. Chichester has a specific excess-waste sack route.
| Black bin problem | Correct route | Where / detail |
|---|---|---|
| Bin full before collection | Use a biodegradable council excess waste sack if extra general waste cannot fit. | Cost listed as £1.25 each. |
| Where to put sack | Place next to black bin on your general waste collection day. | Other bags around the bin will not be taken. |
| Where to buy sacks | East Pallant House, Selsey Town Council, or The Grange in Midhurst. | Useful if you are not near Chichester city centre. |
| Heavy or hazardous waste | Do not put in black bin. | Use recycling centre, clinical, hazardous or bulky route. |
East Pallant House
East Street, Chichester, PO19 1TY.
Selsey Town Council
High Street, Selsey, PO20 0RB.
The Grange
Bepton Road, Midhurst, GU29 9HD.
Weekly food waste collection
Food waste collections have been rolled out across Chichester District. They are weekly and may be collected by a different crew from your other bins.
| Food waste point | Chichester detail | Useful action |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | Weekly food waste collection. | Put food waste out even if the quantity is small. |
| Day may differ | Food waste is collected by a different crew and may be collected at a different time or on a different day. | Do not report it missed just because another bin was emptied earlier. |
| No opt-out | Chichester says there is no option to opt out of the food waste collection service. | Use the caddy/bin supplied to reduce black-bin waste. |
| Tagged food bin | If tagged for wrong material, remove incorrect items and put them in general waste. | Food waste bin will be collected on the next scheduled collection. |
| Where food waste goes | Collected food waste goes to Ford Transfer Station, then to an anaerobic digestion plant in Horsham. | Good reason to keep packaging out. |
| Need extra food bin | If regularly producing more food waste than fits, Chichester says you can email the waste team to request an extra bin. | Email wasteandrecycling@chichester.gov.uk. |
Green garden recycling service
Garden recycling is paid, fortnightly and uses the green wheeled bin. It is different from your black and burgundy collection point.
| Garden service detail | Chichester rule | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £76.00 yearly; green bin included in the price. | Join the service if you want fortnightly garden recycling. |
| Frequency | Fortnightly collection. | Check garden dates in the bin-day checker after subscription is active. |
| Collection point | Outside the property boundary or shared driveway, clearly visible. | Put out by 6am. |
| Dates after joining | Garden dates appear 24 hours after the green bin has been delivered. | Wait for the date to appear before assuming the service started. |
| Extra green bins | Existing customers wanting extra bins should phone 01243 534619. | Do not assume one subscription covers extra bins. |
| Processing | Garden waste is locally recycled into compost by Woodhorn Group. | Keep plastic bags and wrong items out. |
Put in the green bin
- Grass cuttings.
- Weeds and leaves.
- Hedge cuttings.
- Tree and shrub cuttings.
- Plants and flowers.
Do not put in the green bin
- Wood or branches bigger than wrist / over 100mm.
- Japanese Knotweed or Himalayan Balsam.
- Soil, compost, moss, concrete, stones or rubble.
- Fruit/veg peelings, food waste or animal waste.
- Plastic, biodegradable bags, flower pots or ash.
Buy or replace bins
Chichester charges for new or replacement recycling and domestic waste bins at individual properties. Food waste bins are free.
| Bin or container | Standard cost | 20% discounted cost | Useful detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 140 litre bin | £42.00 | £33.60 | Suitable for 1–2 people. |
| 240 litre bin | £46.00 | £36.80 | Standard bin size. |
| 360 litre general waste bin | £73.00 | £58.40 | For 5+ people and only by prior arrangement for general waste bins. |
| 23 litre outdoor food waste bin | Free | Free | Food waste bins are free of charge. |
| Low-income discount | 20% discount | Requires proof | For residents receiving passported benefits because of low income. |
| Delivery | Included in price | Included | Chichester aims to deliver eligible new bins in 5 to 10 working days. |
Bulky household waste and bulky bags
Use this section for beds, sofas, fridges, cookers, house-clearance waste and large items that do not belong beside ordinary bins.
| Service | Chichester detail | Before collection |
|---|---|---|
| Bulky household item collection | Chichester can collect up to 8 items from its listed item categories. | Items must be outside the building, within the property boundary or communal area, by 6am. |
| Accepted categories include | White goods, electrical appliances, fixtures and fittings, and listed miscellaneous items. | Fridges/freezers should be clean and empty of food. |
| Access rule | Council cannot enter a property to remove items. | Do not leave items inside, behind locked access or in unsafe condition. |
| Changes/cancellations | Must be made at least two working days before the specified collection date. | No refund after that point under terms. |
| Unsafe/wet/heavy items | Items may not be collected if unsafe or in a condition that prevents collection. | Keep mattresses/furniture dry where possible. |
| Bulky Bag Service | For large volumes of ordinary household or business waste; prepaid service valid for 6 months. | Do not use for hazardous or specialist waste. |
Hazardous, clinical and electrical waste
These items are often the reason a bin is refused. Do not hide them in black or burgundy bins.
| Waste type | Correct route | Do not do this |
|---|---|---|
| Batteries and disposable vapes | Use battery/electrical recycling routes or recycling centre. | Do not put in black or burgundy bins. |
| Electrical items | Use recycling centre, bulky route where listed, or electrical recycling route. | Do not place small or large electricals in household bins. |
| Hazardous waste | Chichester says hazardous materials should not be put in domestic bins and may need recycling-centre disposal. | Do not put paint, oils, chemicals or hazardous containers in bins. |
| Clinical waste | Medisort Healthcare Waste and Solutions provide a free clinical waste collection service for domestic properties on the council’s behalf. | Do not put clinical waste, needles or syringes into normal bins if a clinical route is required. |
| Gas bottles | Use supplier/take-back or specialist route. | Never put gas bottles in black bins, recycling or bulky bags. |
Assisted waste and recycling collection
Assisted collection is for households where there is no one physically able to move bins, and no suitable nearby help is available.
Who may qualify
Occupants genuinely incapacitated or disabled temporarily or permanently.
Who may not qualify
Exemption is not granted just because the driveway is long or the boundary is far away.
What happens if approved
An alternative collection point is agreed by the council and reviewed at regular intervals.
Scripts and official links
Use these when the situation is unclear or the form needs exact information.
| Need | Official route | Have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Check bin dates | Chichester postcode checker or council app. | Postcode and selected address. |
| Missed bin | Official missed-bin form within 24 hours. | Bin type, date, placement, 6am confirmation and contents. |
| Garden extra bins | 01243 534619 | Existing subscription details and address. |
| Extra food waste bin | wasteandrecycling@chichester.gov.uk | Address and reason regular food waste exceeds bin capacity. |
| Bulky bag informal query | wasteandrecycling@chichester.gov.uk | Bag/order details and waste type. |
Missed-bin report script
Hello, I’m reporting a missed Chichester collection at [full address and postcode]. The missed bin is [black/burgundy/food/green garden]. It was placed at [inside boundary/outside boundary/shared driveway] by 6am on [collection date]. The lid was closed and it contained only accepted items. Please confirm the next step.
Official Chichester refuse collection links
Use the link that matches your problem. This avoids opening the wrong form or reporting too late.
Check your bin day
Use for food, recycling, general and subscribed garden waste dates.
Open checkerChichester Refuse Collection FAQs
How do I check my Chichester bin collection day?
Use Chichester District Council’s official bin day checker and enter your postcode, then select your exact address. The checker shows food, recycling, general waste and garden waste dates where applicable.
What time should I put my Chichester bins out?
Chichester says wheeled bins should be placed out by 6am on the morning of collection. General waste, recycling and food waste should be just inside the property boundary nearest the road, while garden recycling should be outside the boundary or shared driveway and clearly visible.
How do I report a missed bin in Chichester?
Report a missed food, garden, general waste or recycling collection using the official missed-bin form within 24 hours of the scheduled collection. Chichester will not return if the bin was not presented correctly by 6am, contained unacceptable items, or the report is late.
What goes in the black bin in Chichester?
The black bin is for general household waste only. Food waste should go in the weekly food waste bin, and hazardous, heavy, electrical, garden, commercial, rubble, soil, gas bottle, battery, vape, paint, needle and syringe waste should not go in the black bin.
What goes in the burgundy recycling bin?
Chichester’s burgundy recycling bin is for clean, loose and dry recycling such as paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers, toothpaste tubes, foil, glass bottles and jars, metal cans, aerosols and cartons.
Can I put extra recycling next to my burgundy bin?
Yes, Chichester says extra recycling can be collected if it is placed loosely tied in a black sack next to the recycling bin on the scheduled collection day. Wet excess recycling or sacks not clearly presented next to the recycling bin may not be collected.
Can I put extra general waste next to my black bin?
Only if it is in a biodegradable Chichester council excess waste sack. Other waste bags around the black bin will not be collected. Council excess waste sacks cost £1.25 each and should be placed next to the black bin on general waste collection day.
How much is Chichester garden recycling?
Chichester’s garden recycling service costs £76.00 per year and includes a green bin. The service collects garden waste every two weeks from outside the property boundary or shared driveway.
How much are replacement bins in Chichester?
Chichester lists individual-property bin charges at £42.00 for a 140 litre bin, £46.00 for a 240 litre bin and £73.00 for a 360 litre general waste bin by prior arrangement. A 23 litre outdoor food waste bin is free.
Can I get help moving my bins in Chichester?
Yes. Chichester offers assisted waste and recycling collection where occupants are genuinely incapacitated or disabled temporarily or permanently, and no other person in the property or immediate neighbourhood can move the waste on their behalf.
Final practical advice
For Chichester refuse collection, the useful routine is simple: check your exact address, put the right container out by 6am, use the correct boundary point, keep recycling clean/loose/dry, use food waste weekly, and report genuine missed collections within 24 hours.
If the waste does not fit or does not belong in the bin, do not guess. Use council excess sacks, garden recycling, bulky household collection, bulky bag service, assisted collection, clinical/hazardous routes or a recycling centre.